Elizabeth "Liz" Fleming Owens

Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, John L Owens, Jr, her father and mother, the Reverend A.K. Fleming and Mrs. Elizabeth Fleming, her sister, Janis Bush, and her brother, John H Fleming. Elizabeth’s surviving family includes her sister, JoEllyn Brown, her son, John L Owens III, her daughter, Glenda Lea Owens, her son, Charles R (Pete) Owens, and her daughter, Maria Owens, as well as three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth was born April 17, 1935 in Waynoka, Oklahoma. She graduated from Kingfisher High School and earned a Bachelor of Science at Oklahoma State University, studying nutritional science. She moved to New York City after college, where she met John Owens, and they married in 1960. After several moves related to John’s service in the US Navy, the Owens family settled in Raleigh, where Elizabeth taught physical science at Millbrook High School. During many decades as a North Raleigh resident, Elizabeth was an active member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She and John were foster parents to numerous children and teenagers, and Elizabeth volunteered tirelessly as an advocate for special populations and for accessibility improvements.

The Owens home was full of beautiful watercolors and quilts that Elizabeth created. She enjoyed Scrabble and crosswords, reading the Bible, and visiting with neighbors. She was a very outgoing, friendly person who conversed easily with people in any setting. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and wide circle of friends.

A memorial service for Liz will be held Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4801 Six Forks Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609. A reception will follow the service in Anderson Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to Easterseals UCP, 5171 Glenwood Ave #211, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Services by Brown-Wynne, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh.